Bear Stuffie Tutorial

I have been having a great time creating these little bears. My goal is to create at least one bear each month. I have become better at sewing through the years (I'm a self-taught sewer) but nowhere near perfect. My best friend is the "seam ripper", haha. I also take advantage of all the wonderful online tutorials and patterns as well as classes (CRAFTSY), and follow many wonderful blogs. This is my feeble attempt at writing a tutorial:

Last year I purchased Kid giddys doll die cut to use with my Big Shot. I love it! I can cut patterns out quickly. I use the sizzix doll die to create the body, arms and legs. I like my bear to have a different size head, so I use a pattern I got from taking Wendi Gratz woodland critters class through Craftsy. I cut two of each. I also cut out bear snout, nose, and ears using the woodland critters pattern (or freehand them). Every bear needs to have a heart and label (my label includes my favorite verse- Jeremiah 29:11).

These bears are cut and ready to be sewn. I like to first sew arms, legs and ears. I stuff them lightly and set them aside. Then, sew the front head to the front body (set aside)and sew the back of head to back of body. All my bodies have a heart in the front and label in the back. You can sew the heart and label or use strong fusible web and iron it on.

Next, sew felt eyes and nose to front of head. You can also embroider eyes or use safety eyes. I purchased some safety eyes for my January bear and found that I really liked how they looked. I used felt for the eyes on the mouse. Then, stitch or embroider the mouth. Sew ears to front of head. To assemble, attach the arms to the front of the body.

Put right sides together making sure to put arms and ears in the inside. Pin all around to secure everything in place. Sew around and leave the bottom open for turning inside out.

This is ready to sew all around body (leave opening on the bottom). The last thing to do is to turn it right side out and stuff it. Attach the legs to the bottom of body and sew it close. (Sorry, don't have a picture of that). Check out Kid Giddy's youtube channel to learn how to create a doll. You might also check out Crafty Gemini Creates youtube channel for a great tutorial on sewing a sizzix doll. Voila! My January bear. I gave her a scarf and hat to keep her warm. Now, I need to find her an owner.

American Girl Accessories & Tutorial

I have been busy making some american girl accessories. I made my niece a blanket for her AG doll and some sandals for my other nieces' doll. I also made some stockings for my daughters doll.

Blanket was made using a fat quarter fabric. I used a fat quarter with minky fabric.

The sandals were very easy to make. I used black foam and stickers. I couldn't find the link to the video tutorial. Just google fave crafts youtube videos on american girl sandals and you will find a tutorial.

The stockings were the easiest to make. I used one of my daughters old soccer socks.

Cut the bottom of the sock off and cut through the center of the sock.

Sew through the bottom of feet and continue sewing until you reach the other side. Turn over and "voila" stockings for your doll.

Silhouettes - Tutorial

I finally had a chance to make silhouettes of my children.  I had the perfect spot too - right above my bed.  I love looking at my girls when I walk into the room.  Making the silhouettes was easy.  You just need a camera, children, black cardstock paper, canvas, black paint (optional) and background paper (I used an inexpensive bible). 

First, take pictures of your child, print out, trace and cut out of black cardstock paper.

Next, decoupage your background pages onto the canvas.  You can use scrapbooking paper, book pages or just paint the background.  I wanted to use our favorite bible pages so we used the book of Psalms, John, Ephesians, Galatians and Corinthians. 

Note:  At first, it was difficult tearing up the pages of the bible.  Once I convinced myself it was for a good cause, it wasn't so bad. 

Lastly, glue everything down.  The hardest part was trying to get rid of bubbles on the silhouettes.  I used a different cardstock paper that I found at walmart and I had a hard time getting rid of the bubbles.  Not sure if it was me or the paper. 

Overall, I loved the way it turned out.  My wall definetely needed a little something something to make it look pretty. 

Here is the before . . .

After . . .

That pillow is driving me crazy!  I should of fluffed it before I took the picture. 

Valentine Cake Pops Tutorial

I made vanilla cake pops for my mom's church fundraiser.  These cake pops were easy to make using the silicon heart mold I had.

Tutorial:

First, bake a cake.  Check out Bakerella's blog for detailed instructions on how to make cake pops.  I made these cake pops with a vanilla cake mix.  After you bake the cake, crumble it to pieces.  Add some frosting (about half a can of frosting) and mix together well.   Roll into balls and press into heart mold.  Refrigerate for about fifteen minutes. 

I found this heart silicon mold at Michaels craft store a while back.  I also use it to bake heart brownies.

Carefully, pop out the cake pops and then dip a lollipop stick in melted chocolate and insert into heart.  Refrigerate for another fifteen minutes.

Dip heart pops in melted yumminess! Sprinkle goodness and refrigerate for another fifteen minutes.

Make sure to have a stand or styrofoam base to insert pops for drying.

Here is the finished product.  Pretty cute I say.  I also made a sign for my mom to display.

Homemade cinnamon rolls

My daughter's have been asking me to make cinnamon rolls for the longest time.  I decided to use  Paula Deen's cinnamon roll recipe.  Super easy to make and delicious.  You will need the following ingredients:

Dough: 
1 package yeast (1/4 oz)
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup scalded milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 1/2 to 4 cups flour

Filling: 
1/2 cup melted butter, plus more for pan
3/4 cup sugar
2 T ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins, walnuts, or pecans, optional

Glaze:
4 Tables butter (softened)
2 C powder sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 6 T hot water

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
In small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside. 
In large bowl mix milk, sugar, melted butter, salt and egg.  Add 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth.  Add yeast mixture.  Mix in remaining flour until dough is easy to handle.  Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes.  Place in well-greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size (about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs).
When doubled in size, punch down dough.  Roll out ona floured surface into a 15 by 9 inch rectangle.  Spread melted butter all over dough.  Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over buttered dough.  (Sprinkle with raisins or nuts if desired).
Beginning at the 15 inch side, role up dough and pinch edge together to seal.  Cut into 12 to 15 slices.
Coat the bottom of baking pan with butter and sprinkle with sugar.  Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until dough is doubled, about 45 minutes.  Bake for about 30 minutes or until nicely browned.
Meanwhile, mix butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.  Add hot water 1 tablespoon at a time until glaze reaches desired consistency.  I like our glaze to be very thick, so I don't add too much water.  Spread over slightly cooled rolls.  You can also link to the www.foodnetwork.com and search for Paula's cinnamon recipe.